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Coptotermes gestroi (Wasmann) and Coptotermes formosanus (Shiraki) represent the most widely distributed subterraean termites (Rhinotermitidae) in the world. The wide distribution of C. gestroi has only come to light in the past decade, as numerous junior synonyms for this tropical termite have been resolved. With C. gestroi found in the equatorial zone, and C. formosanus in the subtropics and warm temperate regions, the distributions of these two invasive termites currently overlap in only three locations in the world: Taiwan, Hawaii and Florida. Comparative studies have identified a number of biological and behavioral differences between the two species, such as greater desiccation tolerance in C. formosanus, as well as a possible variation in aggressiveness related to the origin of different C. gestroi populations. The tunneling patterns of C. gestroi and C. formosanus are quite distinct, and appear to reflect both the distribution of woody resources in the ecological zones inhabited by each species and selection of different optimal foraging strategies